AS the Beatles wrote: "I get by with a little help from my friends."

The same can be said for the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust, which relies on voluntary fundraisers or 'friends' for a large chunk of its income.

Behind the charity, which plans to build a children's respite centre and hospice in Huddersfield, a group of dedicated volunteers is busy organising events, raising funds and recruiting new members.

Huddersfield Friends formed in early 2004 after chairwoman Noreen Rochford saw an appeal from the Trust in the Examiner.

Noreen, 67, from Deighton, was moved by the story of Forget Me Not founder Linda Senior. Linda's son, Russell Shepherd, has a rare brain condition and needed more than 47 operations.

Noreen, her husband Terry and their friends and relatives decided to form a group.

Mrs Rochford said: "I was involved with Children In Need for a long time and I thought it was such a needy cause.

"Linda had to use Martin House, near Wetherby. I just thought people shouldn't have to be travelling."

Now Huddersfield Friends regularly organise fundraising events for the Trust.

Last year the seven-member group garnered £11,000. A pig roast at Longwood Piggeries raised £3,000 and last year's town hall brass band and choral concert raised £2,000.

In summer 2004, friend and grandma Eileen King raised £1,000 after taking on the Three Peaks Challenge.

This year the friends are on target to exceed last year's figure.

The group is organising a summer fair at Huddersfield Parish Church next year and this year's Brass and Voices concert on at Huddersfield Town Hall on December 17.

Noreen added: "We have some really good helpers. It feels very emotional to be involved and it makes you really determined.

"A respite centre is so badly needed."

Fixby Friends was established in May this year. Since it began the seven-member group has raised almost £4,000 for Forget Me Not with auctions, garden parties, stalls and supermarket collections.

The organisation will be holding Christmas fair at St Francis Church, Fixby with visit from an owl rescuer on December 2, a Valentine's Day dinner in February and a clairvoyant evening in March.

Fixby Friend Diane Dutton said: "We're desperate for a respite centre in this area. At the moment families have to travel so many miles and the Government isn't doing much to help."

The Forget Me Not Trust is looking for other volunteers to establish their own fundraising groups.

Trust fundraising manager Mandy Barwick said: "They've done some amazing work for the charity over the years. Friends are really important to our charity.

"They raise awareness. They focus on certain areas and they encourage people within districts to join us.

"They organise events of behalf of charity and they encourage people to have fun. That's what it's about.

"Forming a support group is easy. We give them help in setting up. And we don't mind if it's just one hour a week they can spare."

The Forget Me Not Trust will submit plans to build a children's respite centre and hospice on Fell Greave Road, Brackenhall to Kirklees Council on December 1.

For more information about Forget Me Not Trust call 01484 489 789 or log on to: www.forgetmenottrust.co.uk.